Reviewer: Paul Gibbon from Leeds, West Yorkshire United Kingdom

Arachnophilia,
This book rates very highly on the 'I want to play one scale'. Whereas werewolves are designed as warriors, the werespiders are the regulators, taking on the tasks that the three primal forces of the universe have screwed up at. They serve all three and are dominated by none.

The alien perspective (spiders are a lot further from humans than wolves, reptiles or even sharks) is explored well. Werespiders aren't evil as such, just very detached and callous about others (if it's a choice between sacrificing their best friend or failing in their mission, well, time to look for a new best friend).

Their worldview is also explored with lots of interesting bits and pieces, such as the Ananasi-hunting monster stalking Australia and the dark fate of werespider metis (those with two shapeshifter parents) The retelling of world history is worthy of note, mainly because it's told from the point of view of the werespider goddess, Ananasa, who was actually there to witness it all.

Character templates, and non-player characters are also given (including the builder of the first human city and a collector whose hobby is the corpses of serial killers). Overall, a good, comprehensive book, and well worth a purchase.